Cisco, Utah

This is a 5.5 mile loop, if you opt out of the several in/outs to various lookout points, which extend the hike to about 10 miles -- do not opt out! These lookout points get better and better. However, you can skip the only modest part of the trail, where the West and East rims of the trail meet...

Fruita is Colorado's mountain biking paradise. Right across the border from world-famous Moab, it's only slightly lesser known. People on the Front Range make monthly pilgrimages to this epic spot for desert camping and mountain biking. The area is especially popular in the spring and fall, when ...

Dead Horse Point State Park sits next to Canyonlands National Park with expansive views of the canyons carved by the Colorado River. The park can be accessed year-round and the best views are within feet of the parking lot. To capture the warm light of sunrise on the red rocks, head for the wes...

This trip can be done with an outfit or independently. The outfit Escape Adventures is highly recommended. They send two guides - one drives a pickup behind with all the camping gear. If you don't have the money or interest, however, it is possible to simply use panniers or a backpack to carry ev...

The best way to ride the Shafer Trail is to bring a support vehicle (one with 4WD and decently high clearance). If you're into a sufferfest, by all means climb your way out of there. You can also include it on a much, much longer ride like the White Rim Trail. But if you just want to experience t...

This trip goes 45 miles between Ruby Ranch and Mineral Bottom on the Green River in Utah north of Canyonlands National Park.  Labyrinth Canyon is known for it's massive beautiful walls and oasis landscape surrounding the river. This entire section of water is flat water and can be done with no te...

Four and a half miles from the town of Green River, Utah, Crystal Geyser is one of the few manmade geysers as a result of the area's historical mining industry. This cold-water geyser usually erupts every eight to 20 hours. Getting There Getting to the geyser is easy and the site can be accessed ...

With minor changes in elevation, a couple easy scrambles and the opportunity to find your route by cairns, the Neck Spring Trail is the perfect way to get acquainted with Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands National Park.Starting at the Shafer Canyon Overlook parking lot, the Neck Spring trail ...

Access to this trailhead is a few miles south of the Islands in the Sky Visitor Center in Canyonlands National Park. An easy drive from Moab or Interstate 70. Remember to get permits and check in with the rangers if camping. If just doing a day hike then no permits are needed. REMINDER: There is ...

Moses offers some fantastic crack climbing. It is in the Island in the Sky area near the Taylor Canyon Campsite. The climbing is difficult but the rock is a really solid wingate sandstone. With one of the best summits in the world, this tower isn't one to miss.To get more information on the route...

Getting there:From Moab, follow Highway 191 south for about 23 miles until you get to Looking Glass Road/Co. Rd. 131. Take a right and follow the road for about 2 miles and then turn left into the parking lot.It is only about 0.10 miles from the parking lot to the arch itself, but there is a ~150...

Wilson Arch is a common stop for people visiting the local national parks and Moab, but with some general climbing knowledge and gear you can make this into a longer outing.  If coming from Moab, the arch is obvious on your left about 25 miles south.  There is ample parking on both sides of the r...

Wow where to start… White Rim is one of those places where after the first day you will forget you are even on Earth anymore.  The unreal views just don’t stop either.  Every turn opens up to another amazing scene, massive canyon or beautiful vista.  Make sure to take a dip in the Green River if ...

Upheaval Dome is a geologic structure whose origins have remained hotly debated for years. Some scientists say it is the site of a meteorite impact while others theorize it is nothing more than a naturally occurring salt dome. No matter what the true answer is, there is no question that this shor...

Be advised, the NPS signs and maps that warn of a very difficult hike ahead are not hyperbole, as I thought at first. This hike is a loop around the famous Upheaval Dome on an unmaintained trail that leads you down over 1500 feet into the canyon, close to the Green River, then climbs back up 1500...

This is an easy 0.6 mile loop. The hike takes you out to Mesa Arch, which is one of the most famous structures of Canyonlands National Park. If you're out with your camera, you can get amazing shots of the arch with the rugged canyon as your backdrop. Some of the best photos of the arch are at s...